Connect with us

News

Legal Troubles Mount for El-Rufai as ICPC Takes Him into Custody

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The legal challenges facing the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, intensified on Wednesday as he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The anti-graft agency confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to state that Malam Nasiru El-Rufai the former Governor of Kaduna state is in our custody as at close of work, Wednesday the 18th day of February, 2026,” the statement read. “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations.”

While the ICPC did not disclose the specific details of the allegations, his detention marks a significant escalation in the scrutiny of his eight-year tenure and follows a recent high-profile arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

El-Rufai’s transfer to ICPC custody comes immediately after he spent two nights with the EFCC over allegations of large-scale corruption and embezzlement. Those allegations stem from a Kaduna State House of Assembly ad-hoc committee report, which indicted his administration for allegedly siphoning approximately ₦432 billion through questionable contracts and money laundering.

Advert

Sources revealed that while the EFCC had granted the former governor administrative bail, the process was derailed under controversial circumstances. The bail conditions reportedly required a Permanent Secretary and a Director in a federal ministry to stand as sureties. However, after one of the proposed sureties—a Permanent Secretary—arrived at the EFCC office to complete the formalities, the agency allegedly hesitated and later declined to proceed.

Further compounding the issue, it was learned that the Permanent Secretary subsequently withdrew from the process, citing alleged threats. This has raised concerns about possible intimidation and interference in the case.

El-Rufai was scheduled to appear before the ICPC on Wednesday for questioning over separate corruption allegations, leading to his transfer to the commission’s custody.

In a parallel legal front, the Department of State Services (DSS) has filed charges against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges, filed under suit number FHC/CR/99/2026, allege that the former governor unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

According to court documents dated February 16, 2026, the prosecution’s case hinges on comments El-Rufai made during a televised interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026.

In the first count, the former governor is accused of unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications, an offense said to be contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

The second count alleges that El-Rufai admitted to knowing individuals involved in the interception but failed to report them to relevant security agencies, an offense under Section 27(b) of the same Act.

In the third count, prosecutors allege that El-Rufai and “others still at large” used technical systems to compromise public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations leveled against him, describing them as politically motivated “witch-hunts.” However, with the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS all pursuing separate investigations, the former governor now faces an unprecedented multi-agency legal offensive.

News

ADC Crisis Deepens as Party Loyalists Reject Claims of Candidate Imposition in Kano

Published

on

Comrade Adnan Tudunwada

 

Fresh controversy has emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State following allegations by some party stakeholders that the leadership imposed a governorship candidate ahead of the next election cycle.

Reacting to the allegations in a statement, Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada said reports from a recent press conference by some individuals claiming to be ADC stakeholders were misleading and did not reflect the position of the party leadership.

According to Tudun Wada, the individual who presented himself as the chairman of the party in Kano was no longer recognized in that capacity following a judgment of the Federal High Court. He stated that the party would constitute a caretaker committee after concluding ongoing efforts to address issues relating to aspirants seeking various political offices across the country.

Tudun Wada further dismissed claims made by a self-acclaimed chairman of an elders committee, insisting that the ADC never endorsed or appointed anyone to such a position. He alleged that the actions of the individual were driven by personal interests and a quest for political relevance.

Advert

The party loyalist argued that those making the claims were attempting to create confusion within the party at a critical period when consultations and consensus-building efforts were ongoing. He maintained that such actions could undermine the party’s internal processes and unity.

Providing details of recent consultations, Tudun Wada said the party organized a consensus meeting involving two leading governorship aspirants, Alhaji Ibrahim Ali Amin Little and Ibrahim Khalil. According to him, both aspirants agreed to work together and accept whichever decision the party eventually reaches regarding its governorship flag bearer in Kano State.

He explained that while party members were awaiting the final report of the consensus committee, they were surprised to learn of a press conference where a particular aspirant was allegedly endorsed and claims were made that an election had already taken place.

Questioning the credibility of such claims, Tudun Wada asked why Ibrahim Khalil would have signed a consensus agreement in Abuja if he genuinely believed that a valid election had already been conducted to determine the party’s governorship candidate.

Tudun Wada emphasized that he and other supporters remained loyal members of the ADC and would not engage in any activity capable of undermining the integrity of the consensus committee or the party’s democratic processes. He noted that they would continue to await the final decision of the national leadership.

Expressing confidence in one of the aspirants, Tudun Wada said Ibrahim Ali Amin Little remained committed to the growth and development of the ADC. He added that party supporters were optimistic that Amin Little would eventually emerge as the party’s governorship candidate.

According to Tudun Wada, supporters of Amin Little are prepared to mobilize across Kano State to celebrate his emergence should the party leadership eventually choose him as its standard-bearer for the governorship election.

 

Continue Reading

News

UK Prime Minister Officially Resigns

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday after less than two years in office, in a term characterised by policy U-turns and deep public unpopularity.

“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party,” Starmer said as he choked up in an emotional speech outside 10 Downing Street.

Starmer said the process of picking a new leader for the centre-left party would be launched in July, and he would remain as prime minister until his successor is chosen, to be in place before parliament returns from the summer recess in September.

Starmer’s main rival, veteran politician Andy Burnham, is due to be sworn in as a member of parliament on Monday after winning a crucial special election on Thursday, allowing him to return to parliament and clearing his path to run for party leader.

Advert

“I will remain in post as prime minister until the contest is complete, and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power,” Starmer added.

Until the weekend, Starmer had insisted he was going to fight on and remain as prime minister as he fought off challenges and calls to step down.

He has clung to that position for months after multiple scandals and high-profile resignations that piled the pressure on him and his Labour Party.

But Britain is now set to get its seventh prime minister in a decade.

Starmer’s widely anticipated announcement comes a day before the 10-year anniversary of the Brexit referendum, which triggered the UK’s exit from the European Union and an unprecedented churn of prime ministers.

Starmer has been credited with reshaping Labour into an election-winning party, which clinched a decisive victory in 2024, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.

But his term was derailed by missteps ranging from benefit cuts to criticism over defence spending plans.

He was nearly ousted in March over his ill-fated decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a known associate of the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as the UK’s ambassador to Washington.

He has also struggled to fight off the rapid rise of the far-right, anti-immigration Reform UK party — which defeated Labour in local elections in May, further weakening Starmer’s position.

“I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago,” Starmer said in his resignation speech.

Continue Reading

News

2027: PRP Raises Alarm Over Alleged Hijack of Party Nomination Forms by Kwankwaso

Published

on

 

The Chairman of the PRP Northwest Stakeholders Forum, Abdulkadir Musa Guza, has accused Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of attempting to take control of the nomination tickets of several political parties ahead of 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Kano, Guza alleged that nomination forms for all 69 elective positions under the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) had been purchased by an individual who is not a member of the party.

He claimed that similar actions had also been carried out in more than seven other political parties, describing the development as a threat to democratic practice and internal party democracy.

Guza said the forum was particularly concerned by reports linking Kwankwaso to the exercise, questioning why the former Kano State governor would seek to have the nomination tickets of several political parties under his influence.

Advert

According to him, such actions amount to political deception and could deny genuine party members the opportunity to contest elections on their preferred platforms.

The PRP chieftain described the development as “political robbery” capable of creating confusion, disputes and disorder in the electoral process if left unchecked.

He maintained that the PRP is a party founded on principles and democratic values and would not tolerate any attempt to hijack its internal processes

Guza said the party has many loyal members interested in contesting various elective positions and insisted that their rights must be protected.

He appealed to Kwankwaso to allow political parties to operate independently and democratically, adding that the PRP should be spared from what he described as interference in its affairs.

The chairman warned that the forum would have no option but to seek legal redress should the alleged actions continue.

 

Continue Reading

Trending